Workshop in Creative Workshop facilitation for volunteers at SDCAS
March 2007
(this post has been copied from a word processing document – the line layout has changed. Please contact openbracket@riseup.net for a copy of the original)
Outline:
Some warmer exercises to work on the group dynamic: how to work with and change the energy
Writing strategies: 2 exercises to do and discuss
(Because we are where we’ve been and FOUND)
Visual Arts strategies: why do visual art together with creative writing? 1 exercise to do and discuss. Recap on papermaking
Over to you: Practical Task:
Warmer exercises:
Clap / Hand weaving / Anyone who / web weaving
Writing strategies:
Silence silence silence
Silence silence
Silence silence silence
Talk about your responses to this one-word poem by Eugene Gomringer (all responses are valid!)
When writing with people who have English as a second language the following strategies are useful:
- Ask lots of opening questions to contextualise theme
- working with objects provides a tactile way in to writing, images will provide a visual way in, sounds, an aural way in – try out different approaches rather than always using the same one, people all respond in different ways
- breaking a task down into manageable stages is essential
- give lots of examples and/or bits of language writers can recycle
- working with a model will support lower level writers
See handouts below to create the poems Because we are where we’ve been (Strategies include collecting places then ideas, memories, experiences associated with these places) and FOUND (strategies include working with a model and template, working with objects as a tactile way in and using an easy visual strategy to accompany the writing).
Visual Arts strategies:
Present papermaking and bookbinding, the visual aspect of Because we are where we’ve been and My fingers are lonely for my country piece.
Practice with different materials (pencils, acrylic, watercolour, pastels)
Present other ideas (in photos)
Over to you: Practical Task:
1. Create an exercise in which participants write creatively about one of the following themes:
- Spring in London
- A Journey
- An object
- Think of a visual art exercise, the result of which you will join together with the writing
Don’t forget, you can write creatively with just one word
Ceri Buck, 2007
As part of the Pulp-Paper-Poem project
at Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers
FOUND
URGENTLY IN NEED OF
(what does this object need to give it life or movement?)
FOUND BY SOMEONE
INTERESTED?
